[LX Kid]

Found a real nice Venezuelan FN49 in 7X57 Mauser. I've been wanting one for a long time but just seemed like a endless task. I've had a couple of Egyptian FN49's, in 8mm, but just isn't the same. Finally bought one at the Ft. Myers Gun Show last weekend. Same guy had a FN49 barrel in 30-06 and I bought that also. Now I have spare barrels in 8mm and 30-06.

Where can I find a two piece fireing pin? Help!!!!!

 

[texaggie77]

Post some pics!

 

[LX Kid]

Other than metal parts do the stocks have serial numbers? Don't find any markings on the wood anywhere? The bolts are really differant from the Egyptian
FN49's 8mm that I've owned before. The last one I bought, over the internet, listed as being like new condition and it turned out to be a Centruy parts build, if I remember correctly. Got rid of it cause it really was'nt military. This one cleaned up really nice and great bore!

 

[triumph]

If I remember correctly, mine has the serial number marked on the inside of the stock in the barrel channel.Earlier ones had visible markings on the stock.

 

[LX Kid]

Wish I had thought to check there while I had it apart cleaning it! Thanks

 

[JIMMY C]

Great rifle Kid!

I don't think any of the Venezuelan had visible serial numbers. I have both a "late" and a "early" version. neither have visible numbers. The "late" version has the Fuerzas Armadas Venezuela mark on the stock, and a FN proof near the front of the mag well.

Here is a bad photo of my "late" version.

 

[Goose52]

I don't think any of the Venezuelan had visible serial numbers.

Nor were any known to have any serial numbers applied internally. If you DO have a stock with a serial number in the barrel channel, I would be interested in seeing a photograph of that stamping.

Goose

 

[LX Kid]

Woooooow JimmC! I thought mine was really nice until I saw yours! Nice!

 

[JIMMY C]

Kid your rifle is really NICE!! Many of the Venezuelan rifles were in "new" condition when imported back in the "day" I just lucked out many years ago. As I remember I got my first Venezuelan back in the early 1980's, and I lucked into the other last year.

Here are two additional photos.

 

[A square 10]

fantastic rifle fellas , ive got it on my list but ive never seen any this nice ,

 

[mawkie]

Real lookers! Mine isn't nearly as nice but I got it dirt cheap as the previous owner had an out-of-battery incident and really wanted to get rid of it. Came to me with a split in the stock just ahead of the trigger guard, a slightly bowed mag shell and the remnants of 7mm brass stuck in the chamber. He told me "I think the firing pin's stuck". Yup, that it was! Even though it was a two pc FP, there was lots of old dried gunk (probably grease) packed in around it. Cleaned and did a light polish on the FP to remove any burrs, then straightened the mag shell and glued the stock. Good as new. But decided not to take any chances with the original stock and purchased a Belgian 30-06 stock and modified it (milled a slot in the cross bolt) to accept the Vennie action. Easily the most accurate of my FN49s. Flat shooting, low recoil, what's not to love? Wait 'til you hit the range with yours!!

 

[LX Kid]

Yours sounds pretty interesting! Got any before & after pics? Think I might go back and really clean the FP and bolt. Been hearing a lot of bad things about potential FP problems.

 

[mawkie]

That FP design is the achilles heal of the FN49. Make sure you have one of the two piece FPs before you hit the range. If you do a quick search of this forum you'll find plenty of good threads on the subject with all the info you'll need to be sure you're safe. And then go out and find a copy of Goose52's (Wayne Johnson) fantastic book "FN-49 The Last Elegant Old World Military Rifle" if you don't have one. No self respecting FN49 owner would be caught dead w.o. one! Tons of great info to be found between those pages.
I'll have to shoot an after pic when I get home tonight. Didn't take any before photos though I have the repaired original stock, tucked away safe from range duty. I love the Belgian furniture and have used it on both the Vennie and one of the Century 8mm Egyptians which was originally assembled on Italian wood with an ugly, cheap plastic buttplate. Didn't mind swapping out wood on the Egyptian as it had little to no collector value. Plus, the Belgian wood has fantastic tiger striping. Very pretty.

 

[Mongo63A]

I am always amazed at how nice some of the Ven 49 are. Mine is factory new with the stock never having been touched by bubba. I know many of the Ven 49s were never issued but then you see some of the junk on GB that is being sold and wonder how some bubba could have doen that to the guns. There was a Ven 49 that had excellent steel but some moron had made a new stock for it that looked like one of the 70's hunting rifles, Uuuuugly!.

BTW I also say the best source of info on these is Goose's book. It's worth every penny.

Goose, how about doing one on the Vz52 and 52/57 rifles. They are begging for their story to be told.

 

[LX Kid]

I have a single piece FP in mine and was wondering if anyone knows where a two piece FP can be found? I've looked the web over, the usual palces, and can't find one. Thanks

 

[LX Kid]

Also picked up a couple of nice AK's last gun show. Yugo under folder and a Bulgarian preban with a "Vulcan" reciever. This must of been one of Vulcan's better recievers. Fit, function and finish are excellant! Anyone interested in pics?

 

[1911crazy]

I picked up one from gunbroker a few years ago. I got really worried when the pretty blonde UPS lady handed me the box that was just about in half(broken). She told me to check the contents to see if anything is broke. Luckily it was ok even though i shocked the UPS lady when she seen it. All i said was this is a really purdy one ain't it? It was the most awesome tiger stripping i ever seen on an fn49. Plus the rifling was thick and like new condition.

 

[wellcraft]

here's a picture of my custom FN 49, it's an egyptian model in 8mm that i purchased a few years ago and still haven't gotten around to shooting it.

 

[KVL]

The bolts are really differant from the Egyptian
FN49's 8mm that I've owned before.

Of course. After all, the 7mm is quite different from the 8mm, I'd wager. BTW, does anyone know if Venezuela ever exported or shared their FN49s with anyone?

 

[LX Kid]

Welcome to G/Boards Wellcraft! You rifle is definetly "bad to the bone!" Send that puppy to me and I'll make sure it shoots perfect!!!!! Very nice!